2017 Was Our Biggest Year Yet!

Now that another new school year is underway and Skills Clubs across Nunavut are up and running, Skills Canada Nunavut is reflecting on what an amazing year we just had! We have steadily been growing each year in both the amount of programs offered across the territory and in the number of competitors attending the Territorial Skills Competition, meaning that more and more students are getting exposure to opportunities in trades and technologies.

At the most recent Territorial Skills Competition in April, we had competitions in 17 different trades, technology and employability skills areas and over seventy competitors from all three regions. We had the highest number of post-secondary apprentices registered for competition: Plumbing, Hairstyling and two for Electrical Installations. This was the second year we were able to host the Outdoor Engine Repair competition in Iqaluit, meaning that all competitions, with the exception of Plumbing were held on-site. Following the success of the 2016 Skills Competition, holding the Territorials on the weekend and allowing the students to have a full day of training prior to the competition day was invaluable and greatly improved the morale and performance of the competitors.

Shia Strowbridge of Iqaluit presents at the National Competition in Job Demonstration

Team Nunavut was made up of a total of 17 gold medalists from the Territorial Skills Competition and 8 student delegates, who were part of the Iqaluit Robotics team. The National Skills Competition was held in Winnipeg, MB from May 31-June 3 and once again we had competitors from all three regions of Nunavut. There are over forty trades and technology competitions at Nationals, as well as interactive Try-A-Trade stations, live-demonstrations and massive Trade Show, so this was a huge eye-opening experience for Nunavut competitors. Team Nunavut had competitors in 14 different competition and send three apprentices, our highest number yet. Team Nunauvt had a very strong finish following the two full days of competition. Nunavut won a bronze medal in post-secondary Electrical Installation and a bronze medal in Job Demonstration: Aesthetics.

Congratulations to all our competitors and big THANK YOU to all the participants, volunteer leaders, and sponsors who helped make 2016-17 an amazing year for Skills Canada Nunavut. Now...let's make 2017-18 even better!